Kings of Parthia - Musa: Concubine, Queen and Usurper

Musa was a concubine given by the Emperor Augustus to King Phraates IV of Parthia at the time of their negotiations in which Augustus recovered the eagle standards lost by Crassus at Carrhae in 53 BC. Phraates IV made her his favoured wife; her son Phraates V (2 BC – 4), commonly called Phraatakes (a diminutive form), he appointed successor. She persuaded Phraates IV to send his other sons to Rome as hostages. With all rivals out of the way, she and Phraatakes poisoned the king and assumed the throne in 2 BC. They appear together on their coins, and were apparently co-rulers.